FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3002, 23 February 1926, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD

FLAXMILL SITES,

MONTHLY MEETING

The usual monthly meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held in the Board’s office yesterday, presided over by the Chairman (J. Linklater M.P., Esq.) Also present were Messrs. J. A. Nash, M.P., Mortensen, Chrystall, McMurray, and the secretary (Mr Roore Rangiheuea). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs E. R,. B. Holben, W. E. Barber and Clapham. CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows : From the Manawatu Shipping Co. re silting up of the Manawatu River at Robinson’s Bend, acknowledging the Board’s letter stating that they had decided to establish groynes in the vicinity, by which means it is expected to remove the obstruction, and stating that at a meeting of the company, held last week, the matter was again brought up and it was stated that the Board had not yet established the groynes as promised in its letter. The necessity of the groynes being placed in position as early as possible was stressed as at any time, it was stated, a flood may come down the river and cause further silting. Decided to ask Mr. Hay to confer with the local committee re groynes at Robinson’s Bend. The committee to have power to act. The conference to be held as soon as possible. Mr. McMurray considered the chief cause of silting up of the river was the amount of refuse being dumped into the river by flaxmills. It was decided that the secretary take proceedings against any miller depositing flax refuse in the river.

Also resolved that the Chairman wait on the Marine Department with a view to having an officer sent up to inspect the river. From Mr. IT. Osborne, making application for the lease of the northern portion of the "Wlest Cosdst Trading Co.’s shed the sura of 5/per week. Agreed to for a period of three months. From Messrs Levin and Co., objecting to paying cost of telephone at the wharf, which is used only by master of vessel visiting the port, which they consider is a common port facility that the Board should supply. —Received, it being pointed out that the Board has no use for the ’phone, as an extension ’phone is being put on the Board’s wharf for the use of masters of vessels.

From the Railway Department, asking if. it would not be possible to load goods for the Woodville statin into a “direct” wagon, and if the quarterly offering is small, have the wagon sent to Palmerston N. to fill.” —Decided to comply with the request. From Messrs Honor and Bangs, requesting permission to erect bathing tents on the foreshore at the Beach and also for permission to hawk fruit etc. during the summer months.

Mr. Nash objected to the hawking of fruit, as there were stores at the seaside. The chairman said the erection of tents during the summer was very desirable. Something would have to be done in this direction by next year.

The application to erect the tents was granted, the location and charges for bathing costumes etc., to be approved by the Board. From W. A. Petersen, Beach, bring ing before the Board’s notice the sand drift which is taking place in front of the houses on the river foreshore and asking that the Board assist with the remedying of this menace. —Decided to assist in the matter.

Mr. Chrystall, in referring to the tlaxmill sites, said that as a result of investigations the Finance Committee had discovered that two mills had paid no rent for mill sites since 1919. He considered that a claim should be made for the recovery of this rent. This position had arisen no doubt, through the destruction by tire of certain of the Boards books, in 1919. The whole position of mill site rents should be reviewed. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Nash, that a claim be made for the recovery of the rent since 1919. It was also decided that, at the expiry of all existing leases, a rental of 5/- per week per stripper be charged, and that all leases be made out as from the Ist of March each year. • The by-laws as drawn up by the local committee were approved with two small additions. A vote of thanks was accorded the local committee for their work in this connection. SHED APPROACH. Mr McMurray brought up the question of providing another ap? proach to the Board’s shed, across the railway line from Ravensworth Place. He sugegsted conferring with the Borough Council in this connection. The space available at the existing shed approach was too small. Mi'. Nash asked what benefit the Borough Council would derive from the scheme. Mr McMurray suggested that the Borough Council be asked to provide the metal for the scheme. The Council would benelit to a considerable extent by a good deal of heavy traffic being diverted from the main thoroughfare. The matter was referred to the local committee to report on. Various claims were dealt with and accounts passed for payment.